Ferry capsizes in Amazon region

At least 15 people have drowned and many are missing after an overcrowded ferry capsized in the Solimoes river in north-west Brazil.

Navy diving teams teams searched for the missing at the scene near Manacapuru, 80km (50 miles) from the Amazonas capital Manaus.

Most of those on board the boat, which went down in a sudden rainstorm, were young people returning from a party.

Reports say the the Comandante Sales may have been overloaded.

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Rescuers search the wreckage of the Comandante Sales

Local authorities say that many vesssels plying the route carried excess passengers and cargo.

Local media reported that some of the survivors had swum to shore, while others were rescued by other boats in the area.

The Solimoes is a major tributary of the Amazon river.